The Drive

"Yes, Guy will undoubtedly marry," he began, just as over the top of
the easy hill they were ascending horses' heads were visible, and the
Aikenside carriage appeared in view. "There he is now," he exclaimed,
adding quickly: "No, I am mistaken, there's only a lady inside. It
must be Agnes."

It was Agnes driving out alone, for the sole purpose of passing a
place which had a singular attraction for her, the old, red cottage in
Honedale. She recognized the doctor, and guessed whom he had with him,
Putting up her glass, for which she had no more need than Jessie, she
scrutinized the little figure bundled up in shawls, while she smiled
her sweetest smile upon the doctor, showing to good advantage her
white teeth, and shaking back her wealth of curls with the air and
manner of a young coquettish girl.

"Oh, what a handsome lady! Who is she?" Maddy asked, turning to look
after the carriage now swiftly descending the hill.

"That was Jessie's mother, Mrs. Agnes Remington," the doctor replied.
"She'll feel flattered with your compliment."

"I did not mean to flatter. I said what I thought. She is handsome,
beautiful, and so young, too. Was that a gold bracelet which flashed
so on her arm?"

The doctor presumed it was, though he had not noticed. Gold bracelets
were not new to him as they were to Maddy, who continued: "I wonder if I'll ever wear a bracelet like that?"